Pakistan

Can Sufism Counter Extremism?

Blog, Pakistan

March 28, 2009

BBC journalist Barbarra Plett attends a sufi gathering in Lahore and poses the question: “Can sufism counter hardline Islamic extremism?” “It was Sufis who came and spread the religious message of love and harmony and beauty, there were no swords, it was very different from the sharp edged...

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Eyewitness to Pakistan Turmoil

Articles, Blog, Pakistan, Politics

March 24, 2009

My following piece was the lead story in today’s online edition of Eureka Street – it was then re-published in USA TODAY  and the Epoch Times, a leading Independent News Organisation with offices in 30 countries across five continents and published in 17 languages.   RAWALPINDI,...

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US to increase strikes deeper inside Pakistan

Blog, Pakistan, Politics, USA

March 19, 2009

There is little-to-no rest in site for Pakistan as it recovers from a gruelling three weeks of political espionage, civil unrest and a near coup. Claims of a strong military push for the resolution of the Long March by reinstating the deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammed Chaudhry is now being heavily...

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Chief Justice reinstated

Blog, Pakistan, Politics

March 16, 2009

After a day of intense rioting in Lahore, the current government has publically annouced that Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammed Choudhry will be reinstated....

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Lahore: March turns into battleground

Blog, Censorship, News, Pakistan, Politics

March 15, 2009

The streets of Lahore have been turned into a battle ground today, as baton wielding riot police begin to shell protestors with tear gas. As I write, GEO News has once again been taken off air (as of 30 seconds ago).   Reports confirm that Imran Khan, Shahbaz Sharif and a handfull of others, defying their...

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Islamabad shuts down

Blog, News, Pakistan, Politics

March 15, 2009

Islamabad is preparing for the worst as the long march begins to reach the outskirts of the city this afternoon. Shipping containers have been used as heavy duty barricades surrounding Parliament House to stop protestors breaking through. Many in the central business districts have closed their doors due to...

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Arrest the opposition

Blog, News, Pakistan, Politics

March 15, 2009

Nawaz Sharrif, leader of the major opposition party (PML-N) has been placed under house arrest today by the Zardari Government. Dozens of political workers have already been arrested in early morning raids and orders have also been given to arrest Imran Khan along with a score of other prominent political...

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Zardari gags media

Blog, Censorship, News, Pakistan

March 14, 2009

Pakistan’s most widely watched news channel, GEO News , has been taken off the air by the Zardari Government.   GEO News has been giving minute by minute updates of the Long March – a march organised to reinstate the Chief Justice, Iftikhar Muhammed Chaudry. The last time GEO was taken off air...

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US Drone down in flames

Blog, Middle East, News, Pakistan, USA

March 8, 2009

Taliban fighters have shot down an unmanned US drone in the Tribal regions along the Afghan border.  Over 200 people have been killed by drone attacks since August 2008, so it’s not at all surprising that the drones are being targeted.  ...

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India initiated cricket attacks

Blog, News, Pakistan

March 4, 2009

The Pakistani Crime Investigation Department (CID) had warned the Punjab government on January 22, 2009 of an Indian plan to attack the Sri Lankan Cricket team during their visit to Pakistan.  But the warning fell on deaf ears.   “The CID, while referring to a source report, said this terrorist...

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